These 2 Sheffield United players will surely follow Vini Souza out of Bramall Lane if the play-offs go badly | OneFootball

FLW have picked out two Blades men that could leave the club this summer alongside standout midfielder Souza

Sheffield United's season came to a disappointing end as they missed out on automatic promotion to the Premier League behind Leeds United and Burnley, and they will anticipate losing some of their key players if they are unable to reach the top-flight through the play-offs this month.

The Blades kept pace with the top two throughout the season, but fell away at the vital moment over the last few months, and will now be preparing for their first play-off semi-final clash against Bristol City at Ashton Gate on Thursday evening.

Chris Wilder has numerous top-end second-tier players at his disposal right now, and a number of his key men no doubt have the potential to be snapped up by Premier League teams this summer if the Bramall Lane outfit fail to go up.

Brazilian midfielder Vinicius Souza is one of those, following his standout performances in the middle of the park this season, and Football League World have picked out two more of Wilder's main men that could follow him out of the exit door if the Blades stay in the Championship for next season.

Gus Hamer

Hamer signed for the Blades from Coventry City in 2023 for a reported fee of around £15 million. He has been one of the Blades' key men in the last two seasons, and his impressive top-flight form last term saw Leeds register their interest in his services ahead of this campaign.

The Whites reportedly saw an offer of around £13m duly rejected by United as the August transfer deadline edged ever closer, and he remained at Bramall Lane to help Wilder's men in their charge for promotion this season.

Hamer has continued to be a standout in the second-tier, despite the Blades eventually missing out on a top two spot in recent weeks, with nine goals and seven assists in 41 regular-season league appearances. His strong Championship form saw him named as the division's Player of the Season last week.

It comes as little surprise to learn that Premier League outfit Everton have recently registered their interest in his services, with TEAMtalk reporting that he is on their shortlist ahead of the summer window.

The 27-year-old will likely leave United for the top-flight if they remain in the Championship past this season, but the Blades can at least take one positive from his potential sale, as they would be in line to receive a sizeable fee for his signature if he does depart.

Michael Cooper

Sheffield United had to get their goalkeeper position sorted ahead of their return to the Championship this season, and they have certainly done so with the signing of Michael Cooper from Plymouth Argyle.

Cooper left his boyhood club to join the Blades last August for a reported initial £2 million fee, which already looks to be a steal as he nears the end of his maiden campaign in South Yorkshire.

The 25-year-old was already a well-established Championship keeper when he joined from Argyle, but he has moved up to another level of performance under Chris Wilder this term, with 33 goals conceded and 21 clean sheets in 43 regular-season appearances to help United boast the division's third-best defensive record as a team.

Despite the aforementioned Hamer landing the Championship Player of the Year award, it was actually Cooper who won the Blades' equivalent award last week, as voted for by supporters. He has won the hearts of supporters at Bramall Lane, and has been hailed as "outstanding" by boss Wilder for his impressive performances.

Cooper is clearly set to be vital to their chances of play-off success, but could well leave the club after just one season if they do not seal promotion this month.

The Exeter-born shot-stopper is undoubtedly ready to make the step-up to the top-flight, and could be targeted by numerous Premier League sides that need a goalkeeper this summer.